THE position of Transport Minister Martin Cullen is becoming increasingly untenable amid growing disquiet over his employment of close friend and €1,200-a-day publicity consultant Monica Leech.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admitted today that the circumstances surrounding the controversial employment of a PR executive to the Department of the Environment must be thoroughly investigated.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche yesterday staunchly defended the appointment of Monica Leech as a €1,200 a day PR adviser to his predecessor, Martin Cullen.

THE tendering process which resulted in the appointment of Transport Minister Martin Cullen's €1,200-a-day PR adviser Monica Leech appears to have breached national and EU rules on awarding public contracts.

FORMER Environment Minister Martin Cullen brought in his €1,200-a-day PR adviser, Monica Leech, despite the department already employing one of the country's biggest PR companies to work on a major project.

DUBLIN advertising agency Cawley Nea recorded a 50% rise in profits in 2003, according to recently filed accounts.

THE sports management company run by Fintan Drury has acquired the conference and incentive travel division of the Beacon Travel Group for €1 million.

Billy Murphy, co-founder, will take on the role of Chairman of Drury Communications, while remaining a full time executive.

ESAT Digifone’s 40-strong team worked 12-hour days behind blacked-out windows in basement offices as they prepared the consortium’s bid for the country’s second mobile phone licence, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.